Unlike central and southern Europe, temperatures in Scandinavia rarely exceed 30 degrees Celsius. This mild climate attracts more and more tourists who flee from scorching summers. In other words, fashion is “cooling”, a contraction of “cool” (costs) and “vacations” (vacation).
In the early afternoon, the sun pierces the clouds and lights up the imposing town hall of Stockholm. Temperatures reach 24 degrees. A slight breath.
Dörthe, a German tourist, waits for the port for a boat trip to the vast islands off Stockholm. She finds the ideal conditions for a few days of vacation in the Swedish capital: “We were in the south of France the last time, and with 40 degrees, it was too hot for us.” This is why, this year, she decided to head north.
The pandemic, a turning point for vacation destinations
More and more vacationers in central and southern Europe are turning north. According to Nils Persson, communications manager of the Swedish tourist office, travel habits have changed considerably in recent years.
“The pandemic, in particular, has prompted many people to want to be more active during their holidays. It is not particularly healthy in hot weather.” Sweden, with its climate, its vast spaces and its natural beauty, is perfectly suited to this trend, he underlines.
According to the statistics of the tourism association, in addition to major cities with their cultural offers, the more remote regions of the north of the country are also particularly attractive for hiking and cyclists.
Growth figures are impressive. For example, the province of Norrbotten, in the far north of the country, provides for an increase in tourism attendance of up to 50% this summer. Today, nature protection organizations warn against the potential negative consequences for the environment and the modest infrastructure of the country’s remote regions.
No surcourism yet
The Swedish case, Svenska Turistföreningen, which manages many night shelters, has reduced the number of reservable beds for this year in order to relieve the pressure on the particularly popular hiking trails in the North.
However, the expert in Tourism Nils Persson underlines that Sweden is far from being considered as a problem with surcourism: “On the contrary, we are still suffering from subcarturism. This is reflected, for example, in the availability of hotel capacities.”
The association is particularly committed to guaranteeing better use of existing tourist infrastructure in the largest Nordic country. Today, many restaurants and hotels are often only open during the traditional Swedish summer period, between mid-June and early August.
Stockholm in summer, “it’s really wonderful”
For Helge, a vacationer from Hamburg, everything is fine right now, even in a lively city like Stockholm: “The city is relatively spacious, which allows you to relax. Everyone can find a quiet corner near a fountain, where the water gushes and where the chestnut trees offer a pleasant shadow. It is really wonderful.”
Refreshing holidays in northern Europe should become more and more attractive given the growing summer heat in large parts of Europe.
Article original: Bruno Kaufmann (SRF)
French adaptation: Julien Furrer (RTS)
